- February 26
- An Act to amend the Currency Act receives royal assent. It authorizes the minting of $20 silver coins, of fineness 0.925. [206]
- March
- Demolition work begins at the Royal Canadian Mint in Ottawa, in a $21 million renovation project. [218.5] (May [255.39])
- April 15
- Royal Canadian Mint officials recommend to a House of Commons committee that the $1 bill be replaced by a new 11-sided, bronze-plated nickel $1 coin. The change could save the government $9 million per year. [211.1] [332.A8] [914.299]
- April 19
- The Charlton Press releases The Charlton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins, 39th edition. Price is $4. [715.8]
- April 22
- In New York, Christie's holds an auction of part of the Norweb collection. A 1921 50-cent coin in EF grade sells for $17,600. A 1911-12 8-coin Specimen set in case sells for $33,000. [713.C9] [715.1] [1049.36] [1163.36]
- (month unknown)
- Unitrade Press releases the book Coins of Canada, 6th edition, by J.A. Haxby and R.C. Willey. Price is $4.95. [714.B2]
- The Royal Canadian Mint releases the book Striking Impressions, by James A. Haxby, for $25. [715.8]
- May 2
- The CTV television network show Canada A.M. features an interview with Michael Regozinsky of Empire Industries regarding the recent purchase of the 1911 silver dollar pattern. [716.1]
- May
- The Master of the Royal Canadian Mint announces the new dollar coin would have a coat-of-arms design on the reverse. [49.9]
- June 14
- The House of Commons Standing Committee on Miscellaneous Estimates recommends that the government issue a new circulating dollar coin, and withdraw the one dollar bank note. The new coin should be 11-sided, 26.5-mm diameter, weigh 7-grams, and be yellow-gold in color. The one dollar note should be withdrawn over a three-year period. [213.1] [219.A5] [718.1] [785.25]
- July 18
- At the Canadian Numismatic Association convention in Regina, Saskatchewan, the Royal Canadian Mint Vice President of Marketing Robert Huot annouces that the 1988 Olympic coin program $20 coins would have an issue price of $37. [719.1]
- September
- The Royal Canadian Mint begins distribution of Maple Leaf gold bullion coins in Hong Kong. [215.B6] [271.B5]
- September 16
- In Calgary, Alberta, the Royal Canadian Mint launches the 1988 Olympic Coin Program, in support of the 15th Olympic Winter Games in 1988. The first two $20 silver coins are now available, representing the winter sports of speed skating and downhill skiing. Issue price is $37 each. [68] [220.C11] [234.S2] [253.19] [259.39] [346.193] [661.287] [719.1] [721.1]
- October 11
- A Royal proclamation, effective July 1, 1985, specifies the designs for ten $20 silver coins commemorating the 1988 Olympic Winter Games in Calgary, Alberta. Sports represented are: Downhill Skiing, Speedskating, Biathlon, Hockey, Freestyle Skiing, Cross-country Skiing, Figure Skating, Curling, Ski Jumping, and Bobsled. [105.4399] (July 1 [206])
- October
- The Royal Canadian Mint begins selling sets of ten $20 silver coins for the 1988 Olympic Games. [118.8]
- (month unknown)
- The Royal Canadian Mint begins a second mintage of 1-cent coins, using a hub with a new style (pointed) "5" in the date. [410.28]
1986
- January
- The Royal Canadian Mint unveils the design of the 1986 silver $1 coin, commemorating the centennial of the city of Vancouver. [722.1]
- February 25
- In Toronto, Ontario, the Royal Canadian Mint issues the second series of 1988 Olympic coins, depicting hockey and biathlon. Issue price is $37 each. [661.288] [346.195] [723.1]
- March
- The Royal Canadian Mint releases the 3rd and 4th coins in the 1988 Olympic Coin Program series, depicting the sports of hockey and biathlon. [253.19]
- Krause Publications announces the final winner of its 1984 Coin of the Year contest. A panel of fifty judges votes Canada's $100 gold coin featuring Jacques Cartier as Coin of the Year for 1984. [722.1] [724.1] [1145.30]
- At the Spink Coin Auctions' 50th sale, a 1916 Ottawa Mint sovereign sells for 10,000 British pounds sterling. [725.16]
- March 25
- The Supply and Services Minister announces that a bronze-plated nickel $1 coin will be introduced into circulation in 1987, gradually replacing the $1 bill. The 11-sided coin will use the same reverse design (voyageur in canoe) as the current nickel dollar. [67.213] [272.A5] [273.C8] [725.1]
- At the Bank of Canada in Ottawa, World Coin News presents a "Coin of the Year" award to the Royal Canadian Mint for the 1984 $100 gold coin, judged "Best Gold - Most Historically Significant" in the 1984 Coin of the Year contest. [68] [724.10]
- April 11
- At the Bowers and Merena auction in New York City, a 1921 50c coin in MS-60 to MS-63 condition sells for US$22,000 (CDN$30,000). [16.B1]
- May
- In Luxembourg, the Royal Canadian Mint presents each distributor of mint products a set of two $1 coin test tokens with a regular 1985 nickel $1 coin. [134.1]
- June
- In Parliament, Bill C-118 passes, giving the Royal Canadian Mint the authority to produce a new circulating $1 coin. [785.25]
- July
- The Royal Canadian Mint introduces the 1/2 ounce Maple Leaf gold bullion coin, 0.9999 fine, with face value of $20. [254.173] [661.160] [726.1]
- July 8
- A proclamation sets the design of the 1986 $100 gold coin, commemorating the International Year of Peace. [103.2998]
- July
- The Royal Canadian Mint announces the 1986 $100 22k gold coin, to commemorate the International Year of Peace. Mintage will be limited to 100,000 pieces; the coin will be available in mid-August, priced at $325. [727.1]
- July 22
- In Toronto, Ontario, Auction Canada '86 is held. A 1921 5-cent coin in BU-63+ condition sells for $19,500. This is one of the three finest known business strikes. A 1938 specimen set sells for $13,000. [725.1] [728.1]
- August 7
- The Royal Canadian Mint releases the 1986 $100 gold coin. Price is $325. [729.4]
- August 18
- The Royal Canadian Mint issues the third series of 1988 Olympic coins, depicting cross-country skiing and free-style skiing. Issue price is $39.50 each. [661.288] (September [346.197])
- August 27
- The Royal Canadian Mint announces the appointment of a new Master of the Mint, Maurice Lafontaine. [730.1] [1019.60]
- (month unknown)
- Proof Positive Coins arranges the sale of an 1871 50-cent coin in MS-67 condition for $25,500, and a 1902-H specimen set (5c, 10c, 25c) in MS-67 for $11,500, and a 1929 Specimen set (1c through 50c) in Gem condition for $16,500. [731.9]
- October 25
- At a coin show in Quebec, a 1921 50-cent coin in G-VG condition sells for $9,000. [733.1]
- (month unknown)
- The Royal Canadian Mint makes six test strikes of the new $1 coin with the voyageur design. [737.3]
- November 3
- Master dies for the new dollar coin, featuring the voyageur and canoe reverse, are picked up from the Royal Canadian Mint in Ottawa, by Mouland Express Incorporated, a courier company. [49.9] [220.A2] [229.A19] [333.A1] [736.1] (December [260.5])
- November 5
- Ace Courier Services assures Royal Canadian Mint authorities in Winnipeg that the master die packages are en route to Winnipeg. [220.A2]
- November 6
- Ace Courier Services informs Royal Canadian Mint authorities that the delivery of the master die packages has been delayed due to a severe snow storm. [220.A2] [333.A1]
- November
- The branch plant minting facility in Hull, Quebec, is permanently closed. [733.13]
- November 12
- Ace Courier Services reports that it cannot locate the packages containing the dollar coin master dies. [220.A2]
- November 14
- The Royal Canadian Mint informs the RCMP of the missing dollar coin dies. The RCMP begins an investigation into their disappearance. [221.A4] [229.A19] [333.A1]
- November 17
- The Royal Canadian Mint announces that the new circulating $1 coin would not be available until next July, rather than January as planned, due to delays in the approving and tendering process for new coin blanks. As a result, the current nickel $1 coin would still be produced in 1987. [734.15]
- November 18
- The Royal Canadian Mint officially reopens its newly renovated head office and plant on Sussex Drive in Ottawa. [68] [334.123] [733.1]
- November 21
- The Royal Canadian Mint informs the minister responsible for the mint, Monique Vezina, about the loss of the new dollar coin dies. [333.A1]
- November 27
- An Order in Council authorizes the minting of a bronze-plated nickel dollar coin in 1987. [91.459] [1033.28] [1151.104]
- November 30
- The RCMP calls off the search for the missing dollar coin dies, concluding that the packages arrived in Winnipeg, then were misplaced by the courier company. [229.A19] (late December [736.1])
- December
- The Royal Canadian Mint begins selecting a replacement design for the dollar coin reverse, due to the loss of the master dies with the voyageur/canoe design. [220.A2]
- December 22
- A Royal proclamation, effective January 1, 1987, sets the design of a 1987 silver dollar, nickel dollar, and new bronze-plated nickel dollar. The new dollar coin has a 26.5mm diameter, weighs 108 grains, and is eleven sided. The design of the two nickel dollars is to be the same voyageur/canoe image used on previous nickel dollars. The silver dollar commemorates the 400th anniversary of John Davis' exploration of Baffin Island and area. [90.325]
- December 24
- Numismatics magazine calls Robert-Ralph Carmichael, to inform him that his loon design will be used for the new $1 coin. Carmichael had submitted the design in 1976 for a coin contest. [260.5]
1987
- January 8
- The federal government authorizes a new design for the circulating $1 coin, for introduction in July. [736.1]
- Royal Canadian Mint officials report that master dies for the new $1 coin were lost or stolen while being shipped by courier from Ottawa to Winnipeg. The new design is announced as one that features a loon, designed by Ralph-Robert Carmichael. [66.14] [260.5] [261.44] [914.309] (Michael Carmichael [221.A4]) (Robert Carmichael [333.A1])
- January
- The Royal Canadian Mint unveils the design of the 1987 $1 silver coin, commemorating the 1587 exploration of Cumberland Sound and Davis Strait by British explorer John Davis. [735.1]
- A panel of 65 international judges in Krause Publications' Coin of the Year contest votes Canada's 1985 $20 Olympic downhill skier as Most Popular coin. [736.1]
- January 28
- A Royal proclamation changes the reverse design of the new dollar coin to a common loon resting on a lake. [91.459] [785.25]
- March 14
- In Edmonton, Alberta, Minister of Fitness and Amateur Sport Otto Jelinek announces the release of the fourth set of 1988 Olympic $20 coins, depicting figure skating and curling. Issue price is $39.50 each. [661.289] [737.1 (February [346.199])
- March
- The Royal Canadian Mint confirms that the nickel voyageur dollar coin will not be issued for circulation in 1987. [737.6]
- April 30
- British High Commissioner to Canada Derek Day presents a test striking of a 1911 "Dei Gratia" 1-cent coin to Deputy Governor of the Bank of Canada John Crow for display on long term loan from the British Royal Mint. Two of such patterns were struck in 1911. [738.1] [739.2]
- May 7
- At the Royal Canadian Mint's Winnipeg facility, a ceremony is held for the first-striking of the new circulating $1 coin. Minister of Supply and Services Monique Vezina strikes the first coin. [152.19] [739.1] [785.25]
- May 28
- A Royal proclamation authorizes the issue of and sets the design of the 1987 $100 gold coin, commemorating the 25th Olympic Winter Games in Calgary, Alberta, in 1988. [104.2216]
- June 23
- Several hundred new dollar coins are released early, in Calgary, Alberta, due to a miscommunication. [224.A3]
- June 30
- Canada's new $1 coin, dubbed the "Loonie" or "Looney", is officially launched. [49.9] [69.2] [139.4] [169.880] [223.A1] [224.A3] [225.B4] [230.7] [261.44] [785.25]
- August 11
- The Royal Canadian Mint issues the fifth series of 1988 Olympic coins, depicting ski-jumping and bobsleigh. Issue price is $42 each. [661.289] (September [346.201])
- October
- The Royal Canadian Mint begins selling the 1987 $100 gold coin, commemorating the 25th Olympic Winter Games. [346.203]
- December 17
- The Royal Canadian Mint Act and Currency Act (Bill C-46) receive royal assent. This gives the Mint the ability to retain earnings and float debt, with the approval of the Minster of Finance. [66.411] [254.56] [257]
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